The Toronto “Sportsmen’s” Show (my emphasis) aka The How To
Kill Animals And Fish Show is on this week at Exhibition Place. Normally, I would simply ignore its existence
as despite repeated efforts on the part of the few avid hunters and fishers of
my acquaintance (some of whom I even like)- to convince me there is “sport” in
slaughtering wildlife, I have yet to understand the mindset that finds it
entertaining to go out in the woods and kill creatures who are simply trying to
exist.
Further, I have always found the word “sport” an anathema
when associated with the practice of using guns, bows and other grossly unfair
advantages to slaughter animals. I am
fairly confident that the animals do not see this as “sport” nor do they really
have a “sporting” chance against a speeding bullet or a metal-tipped arrow.
I have grudgingly accepted (due to my years in the
Maritimes) the reality that there are some people who actually kill animals
because it in truth supplements an inadequate income. Perhaps not so oddly, those same individuals
garner a certain amount of respect because they are (in my opinion), more
likely to be more “humane” hunters (if such a word can be used in that
context), and at least use the creature they kill – often to feed their families
during hard winters and lean times.
I find myself confounded that an umbrella organization called
Helping Homeless Pets (“HHP”) is actually manning a booth at this extravaganza
of machismo (used here in a non-gender specific way) and brazen display of
bloodlust.
Huh??
Am I not getting something here?
An organization that purports to advocate for the rights of
animals (albeit, perhaps specifically for dogs and cats alone?) thinks a venue
such as this is an appropriate place in which to prmote their philosophy?
To play devil’s advocate, one could argue that the animals
in peril from attendees are primarily amphibians, deer, moose and other wild
creatures. The reality is that the line
between our treatment of what we perceive as “domestic” animals and others is a
thin one and difficult to justify.
Firstly, the species we (as in North Americans, Europeans and
increasingly, other nations) – name as ‘domestic’ is growing exponentially as
science and exposure teach us that the intelligence and complicated reality of
every animal’s psyche continues to expand. Once upon a time it was common
practice for “scientists” to dismember animals while alive and aware;
vivisectionists held that the cries of pain, the agony, the physical and patently
mental agony were simply involuntary physiological reactions – or conversely,
the repugnant belief that man had the right to inflict what he chose on the
“lesser” creatures.
Every year brings with it new insights into the suffering of
the creatures with whom we share this planet. The rending despair of cows whose
calves are summarily removed from them as the milk is intended for humans; the
frightening intelligence of pigs, an intelligence surpassing that of dogs (our
closest companions); the increasing awareness of the strong family ties among
many species; the mourning that they go through on the death or removal of one
of their own.
But that aside, dogs are indeed an integral cog in the
hunting machine. The unfortunate reality
is that they are often the most under-appreciated – and abused - tool in the hunter’s arsenal. This is not a North American phenomenon – in
Spain and Portugal there is a huge issue with abandoned and abused hunting dogs
at the end of the hunting seasons – it is estimated more than 50,000 dogs a
year are abandoned due to this industry.
There are similar issues in the U.S., particularly rural areas where as
hunting season draws to a close, there is a huge influx of abandoned, starved and
abused coonhounds, foxhounds and similar dogs, who have been turned loose to
fend for themselves. Apparently rifles are more valuable than a dog. Canada is not exempt; check pounds and humane
societies after hunting seasons has passed – particularly in rural areas – and
you will see an agonizing number of abandoned and abused dogs discarded These dogs are often undersocialized,
unvetted and suffering from ticks, fleas and other vermin as well as being
chronically under-weight. Their
treatment while ostensibly in the care of their “owners” is usually less than
stellar as the intent is, from the beginning, that of being a disposable “tool”.
There are numerous organizations right here in Ontario which
exist solely to try to help these abandoned and abused dogs – which makes it
ironic that an umbrella organization like HHP finds it not only acceptable but
argue it can provide a venue to “educate and build awareness”. A simple google search brought me to the
sites of http://www.coonhoundrescue.ca/,
http://pointingbreedrescue.blogspot.ca/, http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/dogwoodrescue.html,
to cite just a few.
A spokesperson for HHP countered that the Sportsmen’s Show
boasts many exhibitors other than sports involving animals – and that the show
itself:
“provides an opportunity to reach and educate a large number of the public in the three day period. We believe our presence, and our message, has a greater impact than our absence (which would likely go completely un-noticed by the public).”
The spokesperson noted that at one time the Sportsmen’s Show
donated space to rescues (a ploy to my mind not unlike Ducks Unlimited who like
to tout their commitment to preserving the marshes and wildlife habitats as
being “environmentally” conscious when in fact they simply want to preserve a
habitat which provides a venue for their slaughter of water fowl).
He also asserts that the show is not solely devoted to
hunters and fishermen but also to numerous sports that do not involve killing
something – i.e. camping, boating, hiking etc.
Regardless, the reality is that I believe by appearing in such a venue,
there is a tacit if not outright statement of support for the types of sports
which bring pain and suffering to not only wild creatures, but domestic
ones. It is, in my view, highly unlikely
that the type of individual who attends this type of show would in any way be
swayed – or even be interested in – exploring a rescue organization or in any
way supporting them. To do so would in
fact, be counter the mindset that many of these hunters and fishers clearly
exhibit. A cursory glance at the website
for the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show clearly reveals a preference for blood sports;
the primary tabs after Visitor Info are Fishing and Hunting and the pictures
today are of fishermen (yesterday they were of hunting).
HHP closes by asserting “As a charity we do not protest, but
rather we educate and assist where and when we can.” I would counter that any rescue organization
has a duty to educate, advocate and protest – that it is an intrinsic and
crucial role of any animal advocate to be vocal in defending the proper care of
animals. Further, the non-appearance at
a particular venue can- with adequate and respectful dialogue – be a much
louder (albeit unvoiced) comment on the acceptability of that venue.
Arguing that you are there to “educate” is simplistic and in
my opinion, patently unrealistic. Should
children (as noted in the HHP response) be one of the targets of their
“education” then it would have a far greater impact to put together a package
that could be distributed to schools, starting at the elementary level. Visits to schools and community groups by
knowledgeable volunteers could potentially have a powerful effect on young
minds. Booths in the midst of the chaos
and noise of a show such as this are highly unlikely to provide anything but a
momentary diversion – with children being dragged off to the parent’s venue of
choice (i.e. hunting, fishing or other “sport”).
There is, when all is said and done, there is an intrinsic
and inarguable contradiction in any rescue group supporting a venue such as the
Toronto Sportsmen’s Show. The facile and
glib assertions that one doesn’t have to “support” bloodsports but are there to
“educate is either naive or clearly misguided.
A resounding and emphatic NO to venues such as this has more potential
to educate than attending as an exhibitor
who whether voiced or not, certainly gives the impression that these types of
“sports” are acceptable.
